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Author: Hays Post

Russell man jailed on suspicion of attempted murder

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RUSSELL — At approximately 1:06 p.m. Sunday, the Russell Police Department responded to the 500 block of East Second in Russell for a report of a subject with a gunshot wound.

Officers from the RPD, Russell County Sheriff’s Department and Russell EMS responded.

One person was transported to Russell Regional Hospital.

Aldo Steffen, 29, Russell, was placed under arrest and taken to the Russell County jail. He was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, and bond was set at $250,000.

An investigation is continuing.

— RPD news release

Police officer charged for incident at Kansas youth ball game

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a Wichita police captain has been charged with battery and disorderly conduct after allegedly pushing a teenage referee during a youth basketball game.

The misdemeanor charges identify the captain as Kevin Mears.

Augusta City Prosecutor Benjamin Winters said in a statement Monday that the case was investigated by the Augusta Department of Public Safety. He says the investigation included numerous witness statements and video evidence.

The Jan. 13 confrontation happened in the town of Augusta, which is just east of Wichita. A video of the confrontation has been shared thousands of times since it was posted to Facebook.

Wichita police have said, without identifying the officer, that an off-duty captain accused in the incident has been placed on paid administrative leave.

I-70, state roads reopened after snowstorm

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KDOT

The Kansas Department of Transportation has reopened Interstate 70 from WaKeeney to the Colorado border as of 12:30 p.m. The following roads have also been reopened:

• U.S. 40 from Oakley to the Colorado border
• U.S. 83 from Scott City to Oakley
• K-25 from U.S. 40 to Colby
• K-27 from Sharon Springs to Goodland

As always, please use caution when driving during winter weather conditions. For up-to-date information on road closures and road conditions, call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas, or check travel information online at www.kandrive.org.

Michigan man captured after he runs from I-70 traffic stop

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Carrasco-Cardenas-photo Saline Co.

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement continues to search for a second suspect in connection with a weekend traffic stop.

Just after midnight Saturday, a Saline County deputy stopped a rented 2018 Chevy Equinox on Interstate 70 just west of Halstead Road for a left lane violation, according to Captain Jim Hughes.

A deputy approached the rear of the vehicle and it took off. He followed the Equinox for a mile and pulled it over again. The driver and a passenger people fled.

The area was searched and no one was found, according to Hughes. The car was inventoried and 14 packages of marijuana weighing 15-pounds were discovered in a suitcase.

At 3:40 p.m. Saturday, a citizen in the 4600 block of West Pleasantville Roadd, saw a person in the tree-line and reported it to the authorities.

That person identified as Juan Carrasco-Cardenas, 32, from Detroit MI, was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, no Kansas tax stamp, interference with law enforcement officer, left lane violation, and trespassing.

Authorities are still looking for second person in the car.

RAHJES REPORT: Jan. 22

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Rep. Ken Rahjes (R-Agra) 110th. Dist.

Hello from Topeka! There hasn’t been a lot of activity, which may not be a bad thing. One of the issues that has garnered some attention in transparency. This week at least one bill has been introduced to make the legislative process more transparent. Over the years, the legislature has invested dollars into giving access to those outside of Committee rooms to hear what is going on. In fact, the 2018 Session will be historical in that all Committee rooms are audio live streaming meetings. In addition, the House chamber is set to be video live streamed this session. Currently, there is a temporary camera that allows for viewing after the daily session is completed. A permanent camera to show the session live should be in place in the near future. The Speaker directed that Committee Chairs implement the following transparency measures. Bills requested for introduction must have an RS#, meaning the proposed language must be prepared by the Revisor’s Office before being brought to a Committee. In addition, the Committee minutes will reflect who requested the bill, such as the individual and in some cases, the organization that they represent. The Speaker is currently working with legislative staff on a request to have each individual bill’s webpage have a notation as to who requested its introduction.

Also, current legislative practices provide more transparency on the Legislature. Committees provide public hearing notice, which is posted both in the building, emailed to distribution lists, and placed in the daily calendars. The Legislative process is more transparent with lobbyists and the press reporting daily on social, print, and television. Many of the state’s largest newspapers have a daily presence in the Capitol, including the Kansas City Star, Wichita Eagle, Topeka Capital-Journal, Hutchinson News, and the Lawrence Journal-World. And, many local newspapers publish articles and columns from legislators and other interests. Many of the television media stations also cover the Capitol. Other organizations provide legislative updates that reach a broader audience, including the Associated Press, Kansas Public Radio, Kansas News Service, and Hawver’s Capitol Report. Lobbyists reflect a variety of constituencies in the Kansas, from social workers to small business, and to more generally, taxpayers. You can also call or email me and I will share what is going on and explain the process if you have questions or concerns.

Along with the State of the State, one of the other annual events which takes place in the early days of the legislature is the State of the Judiciary Address. On Wednesday afternoon, Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss addressed the Legislature. He reiterated the need to increase funding for the judicial branch and touched on other points he had stressed during the previous State of the Judiciary. In the Judiciary’s budget, they requested enhancements of $19.6 million—that request was not included in the Governor’s budget. This includes a request to construct two new Court of Appeals judicial suites and to improve judges and support staff salaries. The Chief Justice also outlined the benefits of e-filing and their long-term eCourt plan, which was first conceived in 2011 and has improved case processing and operational efficiency for the branch. It does not look to promising for his request to be approved, but as in years past we will work for finding ways to show appreciation in the form of enhancements for the support personnel of the judicial branch.

Another issue that is moving slowly through the process is hemp. Last week, the Health and Human Services Committee held an informational hearing on hemp CBD oil. Officials from the company Folium Biosciences, based out of Colorado Springs, CO, spoke before the committee, described their products and explained their business model. They also articulated that the they grow hemp that has been bred to contain high levels of CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), of which such oils contain less than 0.2% THC upon extraction. The Folium Bioscience officials claimed they grow “medicinal hemp,” that THC is the only psychoactive agent found in nature, and with their selected breeding process they have lowered the THC traces found in their products to a marginal level. They also argued that CBD oil is an opportunity to help veterans with PTSD/PTSI and other individuals suffering from Dravet syndrome. It seems there are three groups when it comes to hemp, those who want to research it, those who want to grow it now and those who want nothing to do with it. We will see if it goes anywhere. I do not believe the issue of legalizing recreational marijuana use in Kansas will come up, however there may be an attempt for medical marijuana, but I don’t think either have the support to move forward.

When you come to Topeka during the session, please stop by my office: it is in Room: 352-S. My phone number is (785) 296-7463 and email is: [email protected] and my cell number is (785) 302-8416. You can also check out kenforkansas.com.

It is my honor to by your representative.

The Latest: Senate advances bill to reopen government

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Senate floor late Monday morning during the vote to end the Government shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the budget battle (all times local):

12:55 p.m.

It looks like the government shutdown will end soon.

The Senate has advanced a bill reopening federal agencies through Feb. 8 after Democrats relented and lifted their blockade against the legislation.

The shutdown began Saturday after Democrats derailed a Republican measure that would have kept government open until Feb. 16. Democrats wanted to pressure the GOP to cut a deal protecting young immigrants from deportation and boosting federal spending.

Moderates from both parties pressured leaders to end the shutdown and compromise.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats agreed to back the bill reopening government after he and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell agreed to begin debating an immigration bill by Feb. 8.

The Senate vote was 81-18 — well above the 60 votes needed. The Senate still must vote on final passage to send the bill to the House.

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12:35 p.m.

Senate leaders have reached an agreement to reopen the government.

Democrats have yielded and ended their delaying tactics against a bill financing federal agencies through Feb. 8.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says in exchange, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has agreed to begin debating immigration by that date.

McConnell says the end to the standoff shows “the American people didn’t understand” why Democrats shut down the government because they wanted to help “illegal immigrants.”

The Senate has started a vote to advance the bill reopening government. It is expected to pass easily, and House approval is expected later.

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Former Uber executive running for Kansas secretary of state

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In November, Brian McClendon spoke to students in Hays

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A former Uber and Google executive is running for the Democratic nomination for Kansas secretary of state.

Brian McClendon announced his candidacy Monday. He said in a statement that the secretary of state’s job has evolved and now requires an understanding of the technical issues in securing elections and protecting voters’ private information.

McClendon stepped down last year as an Uber vice president and returned to his hometown of Lawrence. The 53-year-old advises startup companies, invests in them and is a research professor in electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Kansas.

He joined the ride service as a vice president in 2015 after serving nearly 11 years as Google’s vice president of engineering.

Incumbent Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach is running for governor this year.

UPDATE: Osborne Co. inmate still missing

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Wagoner-photo Osborne Co.

OSBORNE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue to look for a missing inmate.

On Monday, the Osborne County Sheriff’s office confirmed Joel Wagoner was still at large.

On Saturday, the Sheriff reported they that Joel Wagoner, walked away from his cleaning detail, according to a social media report.

He was last seen wearing his orange jail-issued clothes, he is 5-foot-11 and weighs approximately 160 pounds.
He was discovered missing in the early hours Saturday.

Wagoner has previous convictions for drugs and obstruction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Anyone who sees Wagoner is asked to contact the Osborne County Sheriff’s Office at 785-346-2001 or dial 911.

Kan. man convicted of pregnant 14-year-old’s death seeks clemency

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Gentry-photo KDOC

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The family of a 14-year-old Wichita girl who was nine months pregnant when she was killed says a man who was paid to help has applied for clemency.

Everett Gentry Gentry, 29,  is serving a 25-year-to-life prison sentence for capital murder for helping to orchestrate Chelsea Brooks’s killing so her baby’s father wouldn’t be prosecuted for raping her.

Chelsea’s older sister, Andrea Fremouw, and her mother, Terri Brooks, said they were told Thursday that Gentry has asked for a pardon by the governor. The women say notice of Gentry’s application for clemency came by letter from the Kansas Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services.

The family is asking people to write letters and emails to the Kansas Department of Corrections opposing Gentry’s request.

Larry G. Herber

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Larry G. Herber passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at his home near Dorrance, Kansas at the age of 79. He was born on the family farm in Russell County, near Dorrance, on June 11, 1938 to the late Chester and Ethel (Washburn) Herber. He grew up in Russell County and graduated from Dorrance High School with the Class of 1956. He served in the United States Army from 1957-1959 and was stationed in Germany. Following an honorable discharge, he went on to attain an associate’s degree from Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

On May 30, 1964, while attending college in Tulsa, he met and married JoAnne Howard, whom he described as “the love of my life.” After graduation they moved to Wichita, Kansas where Larry worked for Boeing until 1972 when he returned to Russell County and began cattle ranching and farming with his brother Gary. Later he began driving a truck, a job he thoroughly loved, and logged over 1 million miles hauling trailers, from coast to coast and border to border for King of the Road of Russell. He enjoyed hunting and shooting trap and was a Champion shooter in 1988 at the Kansas Trapshooting Association’s annual State Shoot. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Dorrance, American Legion in Dorrance, and the VFW in Russell.

Larry is survived by his brother Gary Herber and wife Carolyn of Dorrance; nephews Tim Herber and wife Christi of Dorrance, Jim Herber and wife Julie of Newport News, VA, Jamie Herber and wife Jamie of Dorrance; and great-nieces/nephews Jordyn, Emily, Allison, Ethan, Rachel, and Camden.

He was preceded in death by his parents Chester and Ethel Herber, and his wife JoAnne Herber.

Larry was a man who loved life and adventure and was always willing to take on a new challenge. He was always willing to help a friend or neighbor in need, and lived every day of his life being a good steward of the land and all of the blessings of God in his life. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends.

The family is hosting a time of visitation and celebration from 1:00-5:00pm on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at the American Legion in Dorrance. A private family inurnment will take place on Friday.

Rosetta Ann ‘Rosie’ Bussen

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Rosetta Ann “Rosie” Bussen, 72, Hays, died Thursday, January 18, 2018 at her home.

She was born December 1, 1945 in Denver, Colorado the daughter of Albinus and Albina (Rohr) Befort. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in Denver, from North Central Kansas Technical College with a degree in business, and from Hays Academy of Hair Design. She was united in marriage to James Edward Palcher in 1968 and later married Melvin Beckner on March 4, 1974 in Denver. He preceded her in death in 1998. She then married Edward Murray Bussen. She worked for Travenol, Hays Pathology Lab, and was a licensed cosmetologist who taught at the Hays Academy of Hair Design, worked for Smart Styles in Hays, and owned her own beauty shop called Country Reflections in Munjor, Kansas. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and the Altar Society Christian Mothers, both of Munjor. Her hobbies included listening to Conway Twitty, watching medical and mystery television programs, spending time with her grandchildren, and rooting for her beloved Denver Broncos.

Survivors include her husband, Edward Bussen of ElDorado, four daughters; Lee Ann Rankin, Sarah Beckner, January Meade and husband Hank, and Erin Beckner, all of Hays, three step-children; Nathan Bussen and wife Amelia of Plainville, Brandy Spresser and husband Devin of Selden, and Bradley Bussen of Great Bend, a brother; Richard Befort and wife Corky of Danville, Kansas, four sisters; Ethel Brouillette and husband Larry of Hastings, NE, Carolyn Pritchard of Indianapolis, Indiana, Norma Cornell and husband Michael of Concord, CA, and Jeanette Engrow of Florida, eight grandchildren; Jade Rankin, Seth Rankin, Michael McCall, Hannah Meade, Alexander Meade, DeMarcus Aldridge, Harmony Beckner, and Malichi Beckner, three step-grandchildren; Lilly-ana Bussen, Avery Bussen, Milo Bussen, and Maggie Spresser, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Melvin, and by a step-daughter; Carmen Bussen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor with Fr. Jarett Konrade and Fr. Tom Brouillette officiating. Private family burial will take place at a later date. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Wednesday and from 9:00 am until 10:00 on Thursday, all at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street. An Altar Society Christian Mothers rosary will be at 6:00 followed by a vigil service at 6:30, all on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City or to the Community Assistance Center in Hays, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com

Carl Alvan Larson

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Carl Alvan Larson, 73, of Russell, Kansas, died on Sunday, January 21, 2018, at the Russell Regional Hospital surrounded by his family.

A celebration of Carl’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 25, 2018, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at the mortuary. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to either the Russell Public Library or the Kansas University Cancer Center and sent in care of the mortuary.

Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

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